(usually used imperatively to tease someone or flaunt something in a confrontational way): We won the game. In your face!

involving confrontation; defiant; provocative: His political commentary is always in your face.See also in-your-face.

in the face of,

in spite of; notwithstanding: She persevered in the face of many obstacles.

when confronted with: They were steadfast in the face of disaster.

lose face, to suffer disgrace, humiliation, or embarrassment: It was impossible to apologize publicly without losing face.

make a face, to grimace, as in distaste or contempt; contort one's face in order to convey a feeling or to amuse another: She made a face when she was told the work wasn't finished. The children made me laugh by making faces.

on the face of it, to outward appearances; superficially; seemingly: On the face of it, there was no hope for a comeback.

put on a bold face, to give the appearance of confidence or assurance: Everyone knew that he had been fired, even though he put on a bold face.Also put a bold face on.

save face, to avoid disgrace, humiliation, or embarrassment: She tried to save face by saying that the bill had never arrived.

set one's face against, to disapprove strongly of; oppose: My parents have set their face against my becoming an actress.

show one's face, to make an appearance; be seen: I would be ashamed to show my face in such an outlandish outfit. Just show your face at the party and then you can leave.

to one's face, in one's presence; brazenly; directly: Tell him to his face that he's a liar!

Origin of face

1250–1300; (noun) Middle English < Anglo-French,Old French < Vulgar Latin*facia, for Latinfaciēsfacies; (v.) late Middle Englishfacen, derivative of the noun

Synonyms for face

1. Face,countenance,visage refer to the front of the (usually human) head. The face is the combination of the features: a face with broad cheekbones.Countenance, a more formal word, denotes the face as it is affected by or reveals the state of mind, and hence often signifies the look or expression on the face: a thoughtful countenance.Visage, still more formal, refers to the face as seen in a certain aspect, especially as revealing seriousness or severity: a stern visage.2. appearance, aspect, mien. 7. exterior. 14. façade. 30. veneer.

facedown

[adverbfeys-doun; nounfeys-doun]

adverb

with the face or the front or upper surface downward: He was lying facedown on the floor. Deal the cards facedown on the table.

Replaced Old English andwlita (from root of wlitan "to see, look") and ansyn, the usual word (from the root of seon "see"). In French, the use of face for "front of the head" was given up 17c. and replaced by visage (older vis), from Latin visus "sight." To lose face (or save face), 1876, is said to be from Chinese tu lien. Face value was originally (1878) of bank notes, postage stamps, etc.

face

v.

"confront with assurance, show a bold face," mid-15c., from face (n.) Related: Faced. To face the music is theatrical.

face down

1

With the upper surface put down, as in Please put these papers face down. This usage appears to come from cardplaying. [First half of 1600s] The antonym, “with the upper surface uppermost,” is face up.

2

Overcome, intimidate, or browbeat someone in a bold confrontation. This verbal expression dates from the 16th century. Shakespeare used it in The Comedy of Errors (3:1): “Here's a villain that would face me down.”